Buying a car out of state: taxes, tags, shipping and remote deals

Free preview · from the dealership side of the desk

Sometimes the right car at the right price is in another state: a trim no local dealer has, a used car with perfect history, or a dealer who prices $2,000 lower than anyone near you. Dealers ship, sign by email and send temporary tags overnight. It’s also easier than ever to get surprised by a tax bill, a registration problem or a car that arrives with damage nobody wants to own.

The big idea most buyers get wrong: you generally pay sales or use tax where you register the car, not where you buy it. Buying in a no-sales-tax state usually saves nothing if you register at home. Below: what to check with your home state first, temporary tags and driving it home, shipping, how to sign remotely without getting burned, a worked example of whether the trip is worth it, what to say and your game plan. Rules vary; check your DMV.

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In the full guide

The big idea: you pay tax where you register
Check your home state’s rules before you buy
Temporary tags and driving it home
Shipping the car
Remote signing: how to avoid getting burned
Worked example: is the drive worth it?
Warranties, recalls and problems after the sale
What to say
Your game plan

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